I love New Year’s Eve because I love old-school glam. A velvet cape inherited from grandma? Perfect! A silver lamé frock from a thrift store? Uh-huh! Rhinestone earrings? Feather boa? Sequined evening bag? Yes, yes, yes! Everything is permitted on New Year’s, as long as it’s glittery and elegant and fun.

Gathering together and sharing food is a big part of the holidays, and it can be easy to overindulge on all the tasty treats that are available. Luckily, if you’re looking for alternatives to the standard fare, we’ve got options.

Our Health Starts Here® recipes celebrate naturally flavorful whole foods, and even in wintertime there are plenty of delicious options for the holiday table. Try adding a few of these dishes to your festive feast.

Sure, you’ve probably already cruised by the cookie jar more than a few times this week, but have you thought about what to serve as your dessert centerpiece for your Christmas celebration?

Whether your taste buds are longing for something decadent or something light (or you just want another excuse for pie), we’ve got the recipes for you. Set your dessert table with a few of these options:

Christmas Eve means a lot of things to different people, but to those of us who celebrate the Feast of the Seven Fishes (festa dei sette pesci), it’s always meant fresh, delicious seafood (and maybe an early present or two). The Seven Fishes is an Italian tradition of serving seven courses (or more!) of fish and seafood on Christmas Eve.

The holiday entertaining season is in full swing! I love getting together with friends to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s – not only because I get to see people I love, but because there’s always plenty of nibbles.

Parties featuring small bites instead of full meals make for a relaxed atmosphere and allow for a wide variety of foods. There’s always something to make every palate happy, and the small portions make it easy to visit with friends instead of being stuck at a table for a five-course dinner.

“Help!” It’s a popular phrase this time of year, especially when holiday meal plans are in their final stages. In the era of pop-up timers and guidelines aplenty beamed right to your palm, turkeys are easier to cook than ever these days.

This year is our first Christmas at home, and we’re excited to start our own family traditions with our three-year old... and he’s excited about cookies for Santa!

Sure, there are baking sheets full of cookie recipes for you to tackle. But if you enjoy eating cookies more than you enjoy baking them, this store-bought solution will still please Santa (and all his little helpers): 365 Everyday Value ® Holiday Cookies in festive once-a-year flavors.

Spread cheer to family and friends with these simple, thoughtful, delicious gifts from the garden. And while many of these ideas can be beautifully gifted in Mason jars, don’t let that scare you—there’s little to no canning involved!

The two words “Christmas dinner” evoke memories of happy meals around a large table, with family members not seen all year long. Piles of warm rolls, tender green beans, potatoes dripping with gravy, and the centerpiece ham – my mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Navigating holiday foods doesn’t have to be difficult for those with special dietary needs. With a little planning and preparation, you can create a spectacular meal suitable for many food preferences.

From the traditional latke to tender brisket, the comforting flavors of Hanukkah are an important part of the season. Whether you’re setting your table for a large gathering or just a small meal, here are our suggestions for a delicious Hanukkah.

Think outside of the box when it comes to gifts. Instead, fill jars to the brim with homemade delights or the ingredients for a favorite recipe.

Simply stock up on glass jars (make sure to thoroughly clean and sanitize them) and set aside an afternoon to assemble several gifts at once.

They’re so pretty you don’t even have to wrap them. Just seal the jars, add a scrap of festive fabric on top, if you want, then secure with string or ribbon and add a gift tag. Most of our “gifts from the kitchen” recipes include a printable gift tag.

A generous sprinkle of salt and pepper and a brush of butter are delicious and may be all you desire on your turkey. Many of us like to take it a step further to ensure a memorable flavor. Brining is an easy way to do just that. .

When it comes to Thanksgiving, my family’s creed is “The more the merrier!” We’re not just talking about guests here – we mean the food! Turkey Day leftovers, from a classic turkey sandwich to mashed potato fritters, are a big part of our holiday enjoyment.

Do you love reliving the Thanksgiving meal just as much as we do? Or are you dreading the stacks of reusable containers filling your fridge on Thursday night? Either way, there are plenty of ways to enjoy those leftovers without making your plate look like another pass at the buffet table.

The turkey might get all the attention for Thanksgiving, but I’d much rather fill my plate with a variety of amazing sides. After all, isn’t part of the point of a Thanksgiving banquet to taste as many dishes as possible, from Grandma Ruth’s cherished sweet potatoes to your foodie cousin’s new twist on stuffing?

If you’re looking for some stunning sides to round out your holiday table, we’ve got lots of options. Here’s a few of my favorites:

With a toddler, a newborn and a to-do list as long as Santa’s elf assembly line, shortcuts go a long way with me during the holidays. I’m especially looking to cut down my work in the kitchen without sacrificing quality or adding unnecessary costs

Picture the perfect holiday, surrounded by your most cherished family members in cozy homes filled with joy, celebration and good tidings as adults laugh, children play and treasured memories are created.

About the Blog

Welcome to Whole Story, the official blog of Whole Foods Market.

As the world’s leading natural and organic grocer we’re all about healthy food and a healthy planet, and we've got bunches of passionate people in our community doing incredible things. Join in the conversation!